News

International Officer Candidate App Now Available

The candidate application to seek International Office in Phi Theta Kappa is now available and for the first time is an online submission form. The deadline to complete the application is 5 p.m. CT on February 24, 2016.

Serving as an International Officer is the pinnacle of student leadership in Phi Theta Kappa. Five officer positions — an International President and a Vice President for each of the Society’s four divisions — will be elected during NerdNation 2016, Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, April 7-9 in National Harbor, Maryland.

“It’s still an extensive application, as you would expect for such a high-profile position, but it’s greatly streamlined and far more efficient than the paper applications,” said Jennifer Stanford, Phi Theta Kappa’s Chief Student Engagement Officer. “No more last-minute overnight delivery charges for candidates to meet the deadline!”

The International Officers preside over the annual convention and Honors Institute. They represent the Society at regional meetings and educational conferences. The four International Vice Presidents maintain regular correspondence with chapters in their respective divisions.

The International President, who may be a member of any active chapter, makes annual convention committee appointments and signs all new chapter charters, in addition to the duties listed above.

“We are hoping this new application format will be more user-friendly and make this life-changing opportunity more attainable,” said Onjalai Flake, Phi Theta Kappa’s Associate Director of Regional and Chapter Development for Division I and the International Officer Candidate Coordinator. As a Phi Theta Kappa member, she also served as International Vice President for Division IV in 2010-2011.

“We knew the lengthy printed application was one of the barriers that kept qualified members from seeking International Office. Now, I am hoping we’ll have more submissions than ever before.”

International Officers receive a technology stipend, a $700 stipend each semester to help cover personal officer-related expenses such as clothing and dry cleaning, a $2,000 scholarship upon the successful completion of a term in office and a pearl-accented lapel pin.

All candidates will benefit from the International Officer campaign process, which helps develop public speaking, goal setting and organizational skills. There are scholarship opportunities as well — one International Officer candidate is selected by vote of all candidates to receive the $1,500 Orlowski Candidate Scholarship, which honors the candidate who best exemplifies the Society Hallmarks of Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship.

In addition, each of the 10 International Officer Candidate Finalists (two in each of the five races) will receive a $500 Finalist Scholarship, generously provided by the Oberndorf Family Foundation.

“If you’re a member in good standing and looking for an opportunity to fine tune your leadership, communication and self-management skills, complete an application today, because win or lose you will never be the same,” Flake said.

Learn more about International Officers and the campaign process here.